Washington State is finalizing a deal to hire Hawaii’s Nick Rolovich to replace head coach Mike Leach.
Rolovich, 40, will sign a five-year contract worth approximately $3 million per year, according to ESPN.
He guided the Rainbow Warriors to a 10-5 record and a Hawaii Bowl victory in his fourth season with the program in 2019, boosting his overall record to 28-27.
“Nick called me tonight to inform me that he accepted the Washington State job,” Hawaii athletic director David Matlin said in a statement Monday night. “Our football program is in a better place today because of Nick and we wish him all the best. Our search for our next head coach begins immediately.”
Hawaii operated a pass-heavy offense similar to the “Air Raid” attack favored by Leach, who became the head coach at Mississippi State last week after eight seasons (55-47 record) in Pullman.
Leach’s Cougars had 710 pass attempts and were the only FBS team that threw more passes than Rolovich’s Rainbow Warriors (635) in 2019.
Prior to taking over at Hawaii, Rolovich spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Nevada (2012-15) and four seasons on Hawaii’s staff as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator (2008-11).
